Shirt folding machine



Nov. 19, 1963 w. .J. LEE 3,111,246

SHIRT FOLDING MACHINE Filed May 11, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Wing J. Lee

INVENTOR.

BY fizmam izn.

Nov. 19, 1963 w. J. LEE 3,111,246

SHIRT FOLDING MACHINE Filed May 11, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2

Wing J. Lee

INVENTOR.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 11. 1960 Wing J. Lee

1N VENTOR.

Nov. 19, 1963 w. J. LEE 3,111,246

SHIRT FOLDING MACHINE Filed May 11, 1960 4 SheetsS'neet 4 Wing J. L88

INVENTOR.

WW 19m Fig. 6

United States Patent 3,111,246 srmrr FGLDING MACIWE Wing J. Lee, 1322 Neck Road, Brooklyn, NY. Filed May 11, 1960, Ser- No. 23,273 9 Claims. (Cl. 223-37) The present invention generally relates to a machine for use in folding shirts and more particularly such a machine which may be operated either mechanically by a foot pedal or by a fluid pressure power assist mechanism operated and controlled by a foot pedal.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a shirt folding machine incorporating a novel arrangement of shirt engaging elements mechanically interrelated in such a manner as to fold the sleeve and adjacent side portions of the shirt in the proper manner with the machine requiring a minimum amount of time in positioning the shirt and orientating the components of the shirt properly for folding into a neat and yet compact package.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a shirt folding machine having components thereof which are substantially semi-automatic in operation but still are relatively simple in construction, easy to operate, long-lasting, dependable and generally inexpensive to manufacture, operate and maintain.

Still another important feature of the present invention is to provide a shirt folding machine in which there is provided a plurality of interchangeable shirt collar engaging members for engagement with a collar block incorporated into the folding machine.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the shirt folding machine of the present invention illustrating the structural features and orientation of the components thereof;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the machine which engages the shirt;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 33 of FIGURE 2 illustrating the details of construction of the mechanism for the folding arms;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical longitudinal, sectional fragmentary view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 4-4 of FIGURE 3 illustrating further structural details of the invention and with alternative positions ofcertain components being shown in dotted lines;

FIGURE 5 is a detailed top plan view of the collar block mechanism;

FIGURE 6 is a bottom plan view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 66 of FIGURE 4 illustrating the operating mechanism for the collar blocks;

FlGURE 7 is a fragmental perspective view illustrating an orientation of the shirt folding machine with a shirt positioned thereon and illustrating the initial stages of th folding operation;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 7 but illustrating the folding machine in the next stage of the folding operation;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view similar to FIGURES 7 and 8 but illustrating the next stage in the folding operation;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view similar to FIGURES 7-9 illustrating the shirt completely folded in readiness for removal from the folder machine;

"ice

FIGURE 11 is a detailed View illustrating the modified mechanical operation of the present invention;

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of one of the collar engaging members attached to the collar block mechanism;

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of a modified form of shirt collar engaging member;

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of another form of a collar engaging member;

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of a still another form of collar engaging member;

FIGURE 16 is a perspective view of yet another form of a shirt collar engaging member;

FIGURE 17 is a perspective view of one of the operating mechanism slides for the arms and the manner in which this is actuated; and

FIGURE 18 is a perspective view of one of the other arm operating slide having a rack thereon.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral it} generally designates the shirt folding machine of the present invention which includes a vertically hollow cabinet 12 or the like having a work surface 14 on the top surface thereof for receiving a shirt 16 in face down relation with the arms 18 of the shirt extending outwardly therefrom. One end of the cabinet 12 is provided with a supporting bracket and housing 20 for receiving a finishing iron 22 which may be employed when necessary and a suitable electrical outlet may be provided in the cabinet for connection with the electric finishing iron 22.

The working end of the work surface 14 is provided with art enlarged shirt collar receiving opening therein designated by numeral 24, FIGURE 4, under which a collar block mechanism 26 is mounted for engagement with the shirt collar 28. The collar block mechanism 26 includes a mounting plate 30 having an upwardly extending rear flange 32 attached to the table surface or work ing surface 14 by bolts or the like 34. The plate 3% is provided with a pair of transversely aligned and spaced slots 36, FIGURE 5, receiving upwardly projecting members 38 attached to slides 40* and 42, FIGURE 6. The upper ends of the projections 38 carry blocks 44 and 46 to which are attached detachable collar engaging members 43 and 59, respectively. Fastening bolts 52 are provided for detachably retaining the collor engaging members 48 and 5%} in position for enabling interchangeability thereof. For operating the slides 49 and 42, there is provided a centrally disposed gear 54 engaged with racks 56 and 53 which are rigid with the respective slides 4i} and 42 respectively. Thus, when the gear 54 is rotated, the racks 56 and 58 are moved outwardly or inwardly in relation to each other depending upon the direction of rotation of the gear 54- thus moving the slides 4t) and 42 outwardly and inwardly along with the members 33 and the blocks 44 and 46 and the collar engaging members 48 and 50 whereby the collar engaging members may shape or block the collar when they move outwardly and may be released from the collar when they move inwardly.

Adjacent to the slots 36, see FIGURES 5 and 6, there is provided a single slot 60' having a rod 62 extending upwardly therefrom which has a rubber bumper tip 64- thereon. The rod 62 is connected with a piston in a piston and cylinder arrangement 66 connected with a hose or pipe 68 for a purpose described hereinafter.

The slides 41 and 42 are retained in their position by a pair of guides 71) and 72, see FIGURES 4 and 6 rigidly attached to the plate 30 by fastener means 74. The slide 42 is provided with a depending lug 76 to which is attached a pair of arms 78 extending laterally outwardly beyond the guides 70 and 72. The arms 78 are rigid with the lugs 76 and the outer ends thereof are connected to a piston rod 80 which is rigidly connected with a piston in a piston and cylinder arrangement 82. The piston and cylinder arrangement 8-2 is rigidly secured to the plate 311 by virtue of a pair of U-bolts or saddles 84 rigidly atlixed to the underside of the plate 3% by retaining nuts or the like, Surrounding the piston rod 86 is a compression coil spring 86 which extends between the inner lug 7'8 and the end of the cylinder of the piston and cylinder arrangement 82thus normally urging the lugs 78 towards the outer edge of the plate 39 and thus unging the slides 42 and 4t! outwardly and also the collar engaging members 48 and 50 outwardly into collar engaging position.

The piston and cylinder arrangement 82 is provided with an adapter 88'connected with a pressure supply hose 90 communicating with the inner end of the piston and cylinder arrangement 82 and also with the hose 68 which extends from the adapter 88 to the piston and cylinder arrangement 66. The hose 9% is connected with a source of pressurized fluid through a valve structure controlled by a foot pedal 92 pivotally mounted on a rod 94 adjacent the base of the cabinet and projecting outwardly through a notch 96 therein. The details of the control valve are not shown since this may be of any suitable construction and may be mounted on the bottom surface of the plate 311 and controlled from the foot pedal 92 by a control line 98. The foot pedal thus controls the supply of fluid pressure and effects operation simultaneously of the collar mechanism cylinder 82 and of the cylinder 66.

Referring specifically to FIGURE 11, the structure is the same except that a mechanical device is provided in place of the fluid pressure operating cylinder 82 for operating the slides 4(land 42. In this form of the invention, the slide 42' is provided with the lugs 78- with the outermost lug being elongated as indicated by numeral 101) and attached adjust-ably to a threaded rod 162. A rod 104 is attached to the lugs '78 in the same position as the rod 812' in FIGURE 6 and this rod 1tl4 is slidably engaged with a bracket 1% spaced therefrom with the coil spring 168 being mounted on the rod 1 .14 between the bracket 1% and the lugs 78' thus normally urging the slides 49' and 42 outwardly or away from each other. This .acts generally in the nature of the spring 86 and the piston rod St) for normally urging the collar block members outward.

Connected to the free end of the threaded red 1112 is a sprocket chain 119 passing over a sprocket gear 112 carried by a bracket 114 on the bottom of the plate The sprocket chain then extends slightly downwardly and connects with a foot pedal 11% whereby operation of the foot pedal 11% will effect closing or movement inwardly of the members 40 and 42 for eleasing the collar blocks from the shirt.

From the preceding structure, it will be apparent that the shirt folding machine collar block mechanism may be operated either mechanically by foot pressure or hydraulically. or pneumatically by foot pressure controlling the valve to the hydraulic or pneumatic operating mechanism. In each case, the gear 54 acts as an idler between the racks 56 and 58 to synchronize the movement of the collar engaging members either inwardly or outwardly.

At one end of the cabinet 12 is mounted a hollow enclosure or housing 126 including a bottom plate 122 and mounting brackets 124 connected rigidly thereto whereby the housing 1120 is mounted pivotally on a support rod 126. The support rod 126 extends transversely of the cabinet 12 and is secured thereto by brackets 12% fixed to the cabinet as shown in FIGURE 9. The rod 126 is retained on the brackets 128 by removable collars 131) thus pivotally supporting the housing 121 for rotational movement about the transverse horizontal axis formed by the shaft 126 from the full line position shown in FIGURE 4 to the dotted line position shown in FIG- URE 4.

Also mounted rigidly in the housing 121 is a front plate 132 disposed inwardly of the front wall 134 and adjustably supported in position by slotted spacers 136. Rigidly extending outwardly from the front Wall 1134 is an attaching plate 138 having a folding board 1419 rigidly attached thereto for swinging movement therewith. The folding board 146 overhangs and overlies the back of the shirt collar 26 and the central portion of the main body of the shint 16 when the latter is placed on the cabinet top 14.

On oneface thereof, the mounting plate 132 has upper and lower horizontally extending track members 142. As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the members 142 are L- shaped in cross-section having their horizontal flanges welded to the plate 132 and with their vertical flanges extending towards each other and parallel to plate 132 to define a guideway therebetween.

A pair of identical but inversely positioned U-shaped slides 144, see FIGURES 17 and 18, are slidably received in the guideway. Each slide comprises a lug in the form of a vertical plate 171} from which project horizontal vertically spaced legs completing the U-shape of the slide. These legs are slidably retained by the track members 142 and consist of a fiat bar 161 and a rack bar 146 with rack teeth thereon. In one slide, as in FIGURE 17 the rack bar is at the bottom while in the other slide of FIGURE 18 the rack bar is at the top.

A pair of shafts 151 are journaled in the plate 132 and each carries a pinion gear 148 fixed thereon and engaging the rack bar 146 of one of the slides 144-. Each shaft has an L-shaped crank 152 fixed r iereto and extending above the cabinet top 14. The L-shaped arm 152 includes a short leg 154 rigid with the cylindrical shaft 156 and an elongated leg 156 extending parallel to the shirt folding board 14%. The arms 156, see FIG- URE 4, are each provided with an upwardly oifset portion 15 adjacent the short leg 154. The offset portion 159' is generally in alignment with the offset 158 in the edge portion of the folding board, see FEGURE 2.

Each slide has its apertured lug or plate 176* slidably engaged with an elongated rod 162 disposed parallel with the mounting plate 1.32 and rigidly supported on the latter by the lug 164 secured to the end of the plate 132. Springs 166 embracing the rod 162. each abut against a lug 164 and against adjusting nuts 168 abutting the bracket or lug 17%? whereby the springs urge the slides 144 away from each other and towards the outer ends of the track members 142 thereby through the rack and pinion 146, 148 rotating the shafts 150 and the arms 156 for a purpose to be subsequently apparent. At the outer end of the rod, there is provided a lug 172 which engages with a pin 174 engaged or rigid with a sliding plunger 176 carried within a sleeve 178. The other end of the pin or plunger 174 is connected with a coil spring 1811 which extends to a mounting bracket 182; for a shaft 184, see FIGURE 3. The other end of the shaft 184 is provided with a similar mounting bracket 182 and the shaft 184 is held in position by collars 1'86. Mounted on the shaft 184 is a pivotal plate 183 spring biased to a horizontal position by axial spring 196* engaged with one bearing lock 182 and with the plate 158'. Also, the plate 188 is provided with a counterbalance weight 192, see FIG- URES 3, 4, 7-10, to also urge the plate to a horizontal position and form a handle for the plate. The bottom rear edge of the plate 188 will normally engage the lugs 1713 so that the lugs form a limit for the movement there: of. Also, see FIGURE 3, a depending lug or bracket 1% is provided which will be engaged by the inclined end 196 of the plunger 173, FIGURE 17, for retaining the plate 188 in upwardly inclined position.

Connected with the forward edge of the plate 188 is a pair of downwardly extending strap members 193 which terminate in outwardly extending arms 20%) disposed in parallel relation to the table surface 14 for overlying and engaging the shirt in a manner to be described hereinafter.

Extending horizontally through the housing 129 and the plate 132 is a tubular sleeve 202 having a plunger 294 mounted therein with the'plunger having an inclined outer end 266 disposed in the path of movement of and forming a latch or latch means for the short leg portions 154 of the arm 152. The plunger 2% is provided with a rigidly depending rod 298 which extends below and through a slot 210 in the housing 129 with the spring 212 interconnecting the pin 208 with a depending anchor pin 214 on the plate 138.

When the pin 298 pivots downwardly with the housing 120, it will engage an abutment member 216 carried by the mounting plate 39 so that it will retract the plunger 204 thus releasing or unlatching the arms 152 as well as the arms 200 so that a folded shirt 16 may be removed from the folding board 140. For moving of the housing 120 from the position shown in FIGURE 4 to the dotted line position shown in FIGURE 4, the bumper 64 is provided which will be operated by fluid pressure. If the manual or mechanical device is used, then a flexible string, chain or the like will be provided and is designated by numeral 218 which is attached to the bottom plate in any suitable manner for pivoting the housing upwardly.

In operation, the device will normally be disposed in the dotted line position as illustrated in FIGURE 4 which is the position for removal of a folded shirt 16. A shirt 16 will then be placed on the working table and straightened out with the collar thereof depending through the opening 24 in the work table for engagement by the collar engaging members 48 and St The shirt is disposed in the position illustrated in FIGURE 7 and the housing 124} is then pivoted downwardly which will bring the shirt folding board 146 into engagement with the back of the shirt and also bring the arms 156 into engagement with the shirt. The shift anms will then be folded inwmds as illustrated in FIGURE 8 and the left hand arm again folded inwardly into the position illustrated in FIGURE 9 where it will be held or latched in place by the plunger 294. Due to the rigid engagement with the threaded shaft 162, the other arm 156 will be moved to an intermediate upwardly inclined position as illustrated in FIGURE 9. However, before this has been done, the two arms 230 are lowered by virtue of the initial movement of the left hand arm releasing the plunger 173 from the plate 188 so that it may swing downwardly. Then the am 156 swung all the way inwardly as illustrated in FIGURE 9 and subsequently, the second arm 156 is swung from the position illustrated in FIGURE 9 to the position illustrated in FIG- URE 10 by manually grasping this arm and then the retaining band or strap is placed on the folded shirt. Operation of the foot pedal 92 will then cause the shirt collar blocs members 48 and 50 to engage the shirt collar and retain it in position and at the same time shape or block the shirt collar. When it is desired to release the shirt, either manual or pneumatic operating foot pedal 118 is actuated which will effect inward movement of the collar blocks and automatically pivot the housing 124 upwardly either by virtue of the bumper 64 or the mechanical chain so that this will pivot the folding board 141) upwardly after the shirt has been removed or as the shirt is being removed. After the housing 120 gets to its uppermost position, the iplate'18S is released due to retraction of the plunger 2&4 thus also releasing the arms 156 so that they may all return automatically to an open or normal position.

As illustrated in FIGURES l2l6 respectively, each of the shirt engaging members includes a mounting base 23% each including a pair of apertures 232 for receiving the fasteners 52. Projecting upwardly from the base plate 23% is a body or a block 234 having various curvatures and configurations depending upon the particular type of shirt involved and depending upon the particular configuration desired to be given to the shirt. For example, FIGURE 12 illustrates a generally semi-cylindrical projection 236 having a laterally extending strap member 233 extending outwardly therefrom for engagement with the portion of the shirt adjacent the collar. In FIGURE 13, a similar type of projection 24h is illustrated having an inclined curved surface 242 along with a projecting lug or strap 244 thereon. In FIGURE 14, an upstanding strap member 24-6 is provided having an oifset upper arm 24% provided with a hook 259 on the inner end thereof for providing the collar With substantially a flat folded condition. FIGURE 15 illustrates a similar type of upwardly inclined offset strap 252 having a hookshaped configuration 254 at the upper end thereof and being secured to the base block 23% at the lower end thereof by virtue of a spacer 256. In FIGURE 16, another type of shirt collar block is disclosed in which the upward projection is provided with an inclined surface 253 and also a curved surface 260 and a projecting lug or strap 262 at the upper end thereof. In all forms of the collar block, the collar block is provided with a base plate 238 for attachment to the members 44 and 46 by suitable fasteners.

Thus, the present invention involves a structure which will maintain the mechanism in open position with the collar blocks moved inwardly while the shirt is being positioned with the foot pressure or foot pedal being employed for retaining the collar blocks inwardly and for retaining the mechanism in open condition. Then, when the shirt collar is positioned in relation to the collar block, the foot pedal is released thus allowing the collar block to expand by virtue of the spring means which urges the lugs 78 outwardly. When this occurs, the folding board and the arms 156 move downwardly and then the shirt sleeves are folded over the arms 156 in the manner illustrated. After this is accomplished, the arms 156 are folded inwardly with the arms 2% already being in position. When one of the arms, namely the left arm 156, is moved upwardly, it partially pivots the other arm upwardly and the plunger is employed for retaining the arms in inwardly folded position whereupon the folded shirt may then be strapped or tied with a paper strap with the mechanism subsequently being released by either of the foot pedals which will pivot the folding board, arms and housing upwardly with the shirt collar being removed from the collar blocks since the collar blocks will be moved inwardly thus enabling removal of the shirt from the machine.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A shirt folding machine comprising a table surface for receiving a shirt in face down relation, said table surface having an opening, means mounted below said table surface and disposed in said opening for engagement with the shirt collar, a housing mounted pivotally at one end of said table surface, a folding board mounted on said housing for movement therewith whereby the folding board may move into contacting relation with the shirt positioned on the table surface, a pair of L-shaped arms mounted on said housing for engagement with the shirt and forming a folding guide for the side edge portions and the sleeves of the shirt, said L-shaped arms being each pivotal about a longitudinal axis for swinging the side edge portions and the sleeve portions of the shirt into overlying relation with the central portion of the shirt, latch means adapted to retain the L-shaped arms in said overlying relation with the shirt folded, means for automatically moving said latch means sequentially to inoperative and operative positions when said L-shaped arms are moved into overlying relation to the shirt, means connected with the housing for pivoting the housing, the folding board and L-shaped arms upwardly and simultaneously releasing the collar engaging means for enabling ,9 removal of the folded shirt, said housing being provided with a pivotal plate mounted thereon, said pivotal plate including another pair of arms adapted to overlie the shirt in overlying relation to the folding board when in operative position, said plate being spring biased toward said folding board, means interconnecting said L-shaped arms and the pivotal plate for releasing the plate upon initial inward movement of one of said L-shaped arms including a reciprocating plunger disposed in said housing, said pivotal plate having a lug extending downwardly for swinging movement in a vertical plane, said plunger having an inclined end disposed in the path of movement of the lug whereby the lug may pass the plunger and force it longitudinally, spring means urging the plunger longitudinally toward the lug whereby the plunger will fall behind the lug and lock the lug with the plate in upwardly inclined relation to the housing, a sliding rack mounted in said housing, a pinion gear connected to the one pivotal L-shaped arm and rotated in response to pivotal movement thereof for urging the rack longitudinally, and abutment means carried by the rack for engagement with a portion of the plunger for retracting the plunger thus releasing the pivotal plate and the pair of arms thereon when the one L-shaped arm is pivoted inwardly initially.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said rack is rigidly attached to a rod having a lug thereon with the rod and lug forming the abutment means, the other of said L-shaped arms having a pinion gear thereon, a sliding rack in the housing engaged with the pinion gear, and a lost motion connection between the rod and the rack moved by the other L-shaped arm whereby a portion of the movement of the rod caused by movement of the one L-shaped arm will be transmitted to the other L-shaped arm thereby moving the other L-shaped arm to an intermediate position when the one L-shaped arm is pivoted to an operative position.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for pivoting the housing upwardly includes a flexible chain connected thereto and connected to a foot pedal.

4. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for pivoting the housing upwardly includes a pneumatically operated piston and cylinder arrangement having a bumper engaging the lower surface of the housing for pivoting the housing upwardly.

5. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for engaging the collar includes a pair of slides mounted for lateral movement inwardly and outwardly in relation to the side edges of the table surface, guide means for guilding the movement of said slides, each of said slides having an inwardly facing rack thereon with the racks disposed in parallel facing relationship and in telescopic overlying relationship, an idler spur gear interconnecting the racks and supported from the table surface thereby synchronizing the movement of the slides.

6. A shirt folding machine comprising a table surface for receiving a shirt in face down relation, said table surface having an opening, means mounted below said table surface and disposed in said opening for engagement with the shirt collar, a housing mounted pivotally at one end of said table surface, a folding board mounted on said housing for movement therewith whereby the folding board may move into contacting relation with the shirt positioned on the table surface, a pair of L-shaped arms mounted on said housing for engagement with the shirt and forming a folding guide for the side edge portions and the sleeves of the shirt, said L-shaped arms being each pivotal about a longitudinal axis for swinging the side edge portions and the sleeve portions of the shirt into overlying relation with the central portion of the shirt, latch means adapted to retain the L-shaped arms in said overlying relation with the shirt folded, means for automatically moving said latch means sequentially to inoperative and operative positions when said L- shaped arms are moved into overlying relation to the shirt, means connected with the housing for pivoting the housing, the folding board and L-shaped arms upwardly and simultaneously releasing the collar engaging means for enabling removal of the folded shirt, said housing being provided with a pivotal plate mounted thereon, said pivotal plate including another pair of arms adapted to overlie the shirt in overlying relation to the folding board when in operative position, said plate being spring biased toward said folding board, means interconnecting said L-shaped arms and the pivotal plate for releasing the plate upon initial inward movement of one of said L-shaped arms including a reciprocating plunger disposed in said housing, said pivotal plate having a lug extending downwardly for swinging movement in a vertical plane, said plunger having an inclined end disposed in the path of movement of the lug whereby the lug may pass the plunger and force it longitudinally, spring means urging the plunger longitudinally toward the lug whereby the plunger will fall behind the lug and lock the lug with the plate in upwardly inclined relation to the housing, a sliding rack mounted in said housing, a pinion gear connected to the one pivotal L-shaped arm and rotated in response to pivotal movement thereof for urging the rack longitudinally, and abutment means carried by the rack for engagement with a portion of the plunger for retracting the plunger thus releasing the pivotal plate and the pair of arms thereon when the one L- shaped arm is pivoted inwardly initially, said means for engaging the collar including a pair of slides mounted for lateral movement inwardly and outwardly in relation to the side edges of the table surface, guide means for guiding the movement of said slides, each of said slides having an inwardly facing rack thereon with the racks disposed in parallel facing relationship and in telescopic overlying relationship, an idler spur gear interconnecting the racks and supported from the table surface thereby synchronizing the movement of the collar engaging members, one of said slides being provided with a depending bracket thereon, a rod slidably receiving a portion of the bracket and being rigid with the table surface, spring means on the rod urging the bracket outwardly thus urging the slides outwardly, and foot pedal operated means engaged with the bracket for moving the bracket and the slides inwardly.

7. The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein sm'd foot pedal operated means includes a foot pedal, an elongated rod connected to the foot pedal, a sprocket chain connected to the upper end of the rod, a sprocket gear mounted on the table surface over which the sprocket chain passes, the free end of the sprocket chain being connected to the bracket for moving the bracket inwardly.

8. A shirt folding machine comprising a table surface for receiving a shirt in face down relation, said table surface having an opening, means mounted below said table surface and disposed in said opening for engagement with the shirt collar, a housing mounted pivotally at one end of said table su-face, a folding board mounted on said housing for movement therewith whereby the folding board may move into contacting relation with the shirt positioned on the table surface, a pair of L- shaped arms mounted on said housing for engagement with the shirt and forming a folding guide for the side edge portions and the sleeves of the shirt, said L-shaped arms being each pivotal about a longitudinal axis for swinging the side edge portions and the sleeve portions of the shirt into overlying relation with the central portion of the shirt, latch means adapted to retain the L- shaped arms in said overlying relation with the shirt folded, means for automatically moving said latch means sequentially to inoperative and operative positions when said L-shaped arms are moved into overlying relation to the shirt, means connected with the housing for pivoting the housing, the folding board and L-shaped arms upwardly and simultaneously releasing the collar engaging means for enabling removal of the folded shirt, said housing being provided with a pivotal plate mounted thereon,

said pivotal plate including another pair of arms adapted to overlie the shirt in overlying relation to the folding board when in operative position, said plate being spring biased toward said folding board, means interconnecting said L-shaped arms and the pivotal plate for releasing the plate upon initial inward movement of one of said L-shaped arms including a reciprocating plunger disposed in said housing, said pivotal plate having a lug extending downwardly for swinging movement in a vertical plane, said plunger having an inclined end disposed in the path of movement of the lug whereby the lug may pass the plunger and force it longitudinally, spring means urging the plunger longitudinally toward the lug whereby the plunger will fall behind the lug and lock the lug with the plate in upwardly inclined relation to the housing, a sliding rack mounted in said housing, a pinion gear connected to the one pivotal L-shaped arm and rotated in response to pivotal movement thereof for urging the rack longitudinally, and abutment means carried by the rack for engagement with a portion or" the plunger for retracting the plunger thus releasing the pivotal plate and the pair of arms thereon when the one L-shaped arm is pivoted inwardly initially, said means for engaging the collar including a pair of slides mounted for lateral movement inwardly and outwardly in relation to the side edges of the table surface, guide means for guiding the movement of said slides, each of said slides having an inwardly facing rack thereon with the racks disposed in parallel facing relationship and in telescopic overlying relationship, an idler spur gear interconnecting the racks and supported from the table surface thereby synchronizing the movement of the collar engaging members, one of said slides being provided with a depending bracket thereon, a rod slidably receiving a portion of the bracket and being rigid with the table surface, spring means on the rod urging the bracket outwardly thus urging the slides outwardly, and foot pedal operated means engaged with the bracket for moving the bracket and the slides inward- 1y, said foot pedal operated means including a foot pedal, a source of pressurized fluid, a piston and cylinder arrangement connected to the bracket for movement thereof, and means interconnecting the foot pedal and a control valve for introducing fluid pressure into the piston and cylinder arrangement thus moving the bracket in- Wardly for releasing the shirt collar from the slides.

9. The structure as defined in claim 8 wherein each of said slides includes a base plate removably attached thereto, and upwardly and outwardly inclined members for hooking engagement with the shirt collar for forming and stretching the shirt collar when the slides are moved outwardly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,913,156 Pearson et a1 Nov. 17, 1959 2,950,848 Gayring Aug. 30, 1960 2,954,908 Plehal Nov. 4, 1960 3,013,704 Freeman Dec. 19, 1961 

1. A SHIRT FOLDING MACHINE COMPRISING A TABLE SURFACE FOR RECEIVING A SHIRT IN FACE DOWN RELATION, SAID TABLE SURFACE HAVING AN OPENING, MEANS MOUNTED BELOW SAID TABLE SURFACE AND DISPOSED IN SAID OPENING FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SHIRT COLLAR, A HOUSING MOUNTED PIVOTALLY AT ONE END OF SAID TABLE SURFACE, A FOLDING BOARD MOUNTED ON SAID HOUSING FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH WHEREBY THE FOLDING BOARD MAY MOVE INTO CONTACTING RELATION WITH THE SHIRT POSITIONED ON THE TABLE SURFACE, A PAIR OF L-SHAPED ARMS MOUNTED ON SAID HOUSING FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SHIRT AND FORMING A FOLDING GUIDE FOR THE SIDE EDGE PORTIONS AND THE SLEEVES OF THE SHIRT, SAID L-SHAPED ARMS BEING EACH PIVOTAL ABOUT A LONGITUDINAL AXIS FOR SWINGING THE SIDE EDGE PORTIONS AND THE SLEEVE PORTIONS OF THE SHIRT INTO OVERLYING RELATION WITH THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE SHIRT, LATCH MEANS ADAPTED TO RETAIN THE L-SHAPED ARMS IN SAID OVERLYING RELATION WITH THE SHIRT FOLDED, MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY MOVING SAID LATCH MEANS SEQUENTIALLY TO INOPERATIVE AND OPERATIVE POSITIONS WHEN SAID L-SHAPED ARMS ARE MOVED INTO OVERLYING RELAITON TO THE SHIRT, MEANS CONNECTED WITH THE HOUSING FOR PIVOTING THE HOUSING, THE FOLDING BOARD AND L-SHAPED ARMS UPWARDLY AND SIMULTANEOUSLY RELEASING THE COLLAR ENGAGING MEANS FOR ENABLING REMOVAL OF THE FOLDED SHIRT, SAID HOUSING BEING PROVIDED WITH A PIVOTAL PLATE MOUNTED THEREON, SAID PIVOTAL PLATE INCLUDING ANOTHER PAIR OF ARMS ADAPTED TO OVERLIE THE SHIRT IN OVERLYING RELATION TO THE FOLDING BOARD WHEN IN OPERATIVE POSITION, SAID PLATE BEING SPRING BIASED TOWARD SAID FOLDING BOARD, MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID L-SHAPED ARMS AND THE PIVOTAL PLATE FOR RELEASING THE PLATE UPON INITIAL INWARD MOVEMENT OF ONE OF SAID L-SHAPED ARMS INCLUDING A RECIPROCATING PLUNGER DISPOSED IN SAID HOUSING, SAID PIVOTAL PLATE HAVING A LUG EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT IN A VERTICAL PLANE, SAID PLUNGER HAVING AN INCLINED END DISPOSED IN THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF THE LUG WHEREBY THE LUG MAY PASS THE PLUNGER AND FORCE IT LONGITUDINALLY, SPRING MEANS URGING THE PLUNGER LONGITUDINALLY TOWARD THE LUG WHEREBY THE PLUNGER WILL FALL BEHIND THE LUG AND LOCK THE LUG WITH THE PLATE IN UPWARDLY INCLINED RELATION TO THE HOUSING, A SLIDING RACK MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING, A PINION GEAR CONNECTED TO THE ONE PIVOTAL L-SHAPED ARM AND ROTATED IN RESPONSE TO PIVOTAL MOVEMENT THEREOF FOR URGING THE RACK LONGITUDINALLY, AND ABUTMENT MEANS CARRIED BY THE RACK FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH A PORTION OF THE PLUNGER FOR RETRACTING THE PLUNGER THUS RELEASING THE PIVOTAL PLATE AND THE PAIR OF ARMS THEREON WHEN THE ONE L-SHAPED ARM IS PIVOTED INWARDLY INITIALLY. 